Saturday, December 18, 2010

Re-Gifting

Did you read Carrie's post about her ribbon obsession? I can relate. Carrie and I do keep in touch about other things too, and in my last email to her I thanked her for the ribbon inspiration. "Now I have something to blog about too." People, we take inspiration where ever we can. Just be grateful I didn't decide to post about my groceries again.

So.... ribbon. I have been using the same ribbon on my packages for years. Years. Probably about 30 years. Where do I begin? Well, for one thing. I started quilting before rotary cutters existed. There was a time when I made a template of my quilt shapes (sans seam allowance) and took this template and traced on yardage and then cut out each piece with scissors and a seam allowance I judged "by eye." The seam allowance was less important, because I was hand piecing and sewing on the drawn seam line. Yes, I am as old as dirt.

So..... when I was cutting this yardage out, whenever I needed big pieces for borders and backings, I did not use the scissors. I tore fabric. And, I am going to admit that when I need large pieces for borders and backings I still tear fabric. Do not judge.

So.....when I tore this fabric, I also tore off the selvages. Tons and tons of them. I kept them and put them in a basket and kept them for ribbons for packages. It was well known in my family that whenever they got a present with a weird cloth-like ribbon, it was from me. I still have several baskets of selvages that will live out their destiny as ribbon.So.... a couple of years ago my niece was having a baby shower. She was handed a present and without looking at any tag said, "This is from my Aunt Laurie". She was asked how she knew and she said - "The ribbon." So.... she was untying the ribbon and her eyes got very big. "WOW. How did you get yours and aunt Polly's name on this ribbon?" I told her "I know people." Seriously, one of the best perks of designing fabric is having your own personalized ribbon.Speaking of presents... Polly and I are re-gifting. This was sent to us by Lissa and Deb at Moda and we want to give it to you.A whole bag of Petit Fours ™ . There are 2 bags, actually. If you comment on this post about anything at all, or maybe about recycling (ribbon) or re- gifting (we won't tell) and make your comment before midnight on Tuesday December 21st, you could win a bag of Petit Fours ™.

I have to tell you a little story about my Mum and saving gift bags, we've always done it.. Anyway, my Mum has Alzheimer's and it was her birthday earlier this month, I bought her a present and put it in a gift bag. We had a lovely visit and as I was leaving she handed the bag to me and said "I've been saving this for ages, I knew you would like it so I saved it for you'! Even Alzheimer's can't knock out ingrained recycling, it really made me smile that day..........I wouldn't regift those gorgeous little squares though :o)Lizziexxx

I can't have any ribbon (or loose strips of fabric) in the house because Rollie (the cat) has an insatiable taste for ribbon/string and an uncanny ability for finding it no matter where in the house it is. My favorite ribbon story though, is from my mom. Her mother couldn't deal with not knowing what her gifts were, so she's sneak in and carefully unwrap them to see what they were, then wrap them back up. Somewhere along the line, though, someone figured out that if they put that weird stretchy thin silver ribbonish cording on the corners of the gifts, Gram couldn't figure out how to put it back on the gift correctly. She was completely foiled by it and would have to just wait for her gifts. How awesome is that?

I am busy making a selvage quilt but still have so many selvages left thanks to the donations from many wonderful fabric friends. So now I can use the left overs to wrap their birthday presents through 2011. Simple yet effective idea! Thanks.

What a perfect idea for ribbon. I like it. Thanks for sharing your story about how the fabric ribbon started. I remember my grandmother saving the wrapping paper, so we learned early to open gently. Have a Merry Christmas and thanks for a chance at a wonderful give a way!!

I save the gift bags to reuse. I love the idea that you use the salvages as ribbons. Very cool! My favorite re-gifting is at Valentines day. I give my husband the same card each year, but write a new message on it every year. Thank you for the giveaway. Happy Holidays. I really enjoy your blog.

What fun! I teach recycling in my classroom, my second graders know that they can have one (yea, 1!) skittle for bringing in any plastic bottles or cans from the playground. I then give them to a needy family to recycle for cash. She says it is milk and bread money, that's cool!

I don't regift, but every year my mom puts bows on all the packages and say "be careful to to break or damage the bows. She saves all the bows, and has a box full of bow pieces. She will make all kinds of differant ones. She has all kinds of colors. This way each year she gets wrapping paper in a differant color and just goes to her box to make the new bows. I think this is here form of quilting.

My mother always uses real ribbon on her package and I always save it. It ends up back on all sorts of things: my luggage so I can tell which black bag is mine, other gifts, my daughters stuffed animals (makes a great leash), etc, etc. And I have been known to CAREFULLY regift.

I absolutely LOVE the idea of using selvages as ribbon for packages. I quit using ribbons and bows years ago because they kept falling off the packages. My friend using the selvages to tie her tomato plants to the tomato cages in her summer garden, but I don't garden. Thanks for this great tip! Merry Christmas to you and your famly!

I try hard to save gift boxes and reuse them each year. I do the same with bows. As for re-gifting. I nearly ALWAYS re-gift hand creams, body wash and any other scented body products. I never use them and figure, what's the sense in keeping them...when someone else will use them happily.

My sister and I have a Christmas box we fill and regift to each other every year. It's been taped together a few times, coutesy of my dogs getting ahold of the top, but it's always fun to see what's inside. This year was my turn to fill it with goodies and send it on.

I love recycling ribbons and bows. I have boxes of them and I think some of the bows may be 10 years old or older. I have even been known to reuse wrapping paper. I love the idea of using selvage for ribbon.

Many moons ago, big fat yarn was my ribbon of choice. I reused those yarn ribbons & bows until they were frayed beyond belief. Each child knew which presents were theirs because they each had their own "ribbon" color. I no longer use the yarn, but still use the designated color for each grown up child :)

Recycling selvages! It's a clever "green" idea to use them as ribbons. One idea all quilters would approve of. My family would think it strange if selvages showed up on their presents but they would know who it was from! Merry Christmas!

I really liked your ribbon. Now, I must remember not to throw away any of those edges that I have been tossing! I know people that would actually love their gifts tied with one of those. Have a very Merry Christmas!

I don't regift, but I have been the recipient of regifting ... we received a wedding present and the previous owner wasn't smart enough to look in the box and remove the gift tag that was enclosed when they received it as a wedding gift!Wonderful giveaway, would love to win. Thanks!

I don't believe in re-gifting. I've gotten several "re-gifts" and typically it's things that I wouldn't ever use or want, rather than say anything, I simply give it to a charity - someone out there can use it.

I save all my salvages that has information printed on it. It is in a round ball shape. I keep adding each new salvage from my projects to this ball and it keeps growning larger. I want to see how large it will end up by the time I can't sew anymore....which I hope is many years from now. ;o)

I buy quite a few FQ bundles and the lovely grosgrain ribbon is my ribbon for everything. When it's not long enough I sew them together. My girls always open the presents and then hand me back the ribbon. They know me too well.

I am a recycler. Did it way back in the 70's when it wasn't the "in" thing to do. I do reuse ribbons, bows, gift bags. This year, I used salvages to make some ornaments and gave them to friends. They loved them because the words on the selvage applied to them -"Best Friends" by Sandy Gervais selvages were used.

I can't re-gift as I'd feel guilty. But I do keep unusual boxes that I cover with fabric (sort of decoupage) to put presents in each year. Love the Idea of making ribbon from fabric will have to try that.

would love to win, then I would regift some of the fabric while teaching my Grandchildren how to use the Hello Kitty sewing machine they're getting for Christmas!Hope you, Polly and your families have a wonderful Christmas!Thanks for all the blog posts ~ I enjoy all of them!Debbie :)

I would love to have my name on a ribbon, but for now it would be lovely to win one of yours...I can't regift my concience won't let me...I do reuse ribbon, it's such a waste not to!Have a lovely Happy Christmas..Julia ♥

I was at the womens shelter today as an elf for Santa. We ran short of ribbon and my daughter said when you quilt you never run short of ribbon because you always have a stash. How great to come home and read about your selvages. Keep up the good work and Merry Christmas.Marge

Funny gift recycling story: For years, I was pretty sure that my sister-in law was giving all of us recycled gifts. When I told my husband my suspicions, he thought I was crazy. One year he gave his sister a little wood carving that he created himself....well, you guessed it, about 3 years later, his sister gave it back to him as a gift and told him that it was made by a Michigan artist!!! She hadn't even remembered that he had given it to her. Now my husband doesn't think I'm so crazy after all!

I reuse gift bags and ribbon, scared to re-gift! I know I have received some regifts! If you have a favorite thing and everyone gives you those things- don't give the ones you don't like away- people get suspicious!Merry Christmas- I enjoy your blog!

Great giveaway! I'd love to win. I used to spend hours making the perfect ribbon and bow combination for each gift. Until I had to start shipping everything to the recipients and all my hard work would just get squashed into unrecognizable shapes. So now I don't even add ribbon or bows. The gifts get shipped "naked" LOL.

The only regifting I do is for Rob Your Neighbor which we play every year at Christmas. We bring at least two gifts person, so that means I have to have at least 6, but usually find more... Not only is re-gifting allowed it is encouraged....Today was the day and I took 12 gifts...most of them regifts..HOWEVER...I would NOT regift if I won those petites fours...no how, no way...

Our cat used to steal the bows off of the Christmas packages. She would carry them around, making happy sounds, and then "kill" the bows. We finally learned to tape the bows on tight, and give Thumper a sacrificial bow.

My mother taught me to recycle before it was "in". She grew up in a poor, but loving family who used up everything, then reused it in some other fashion. I learned early to clean my plate, turn out the light when I left a room, and never leave the water running when brushing my teeth. Bags, coffee cans, and string are part of my stash. My children are rolling their eyes..... Merry Christmas to all

I hadn't thought about using selvages - but, of course, selvages are only special if they have your name on them. I've gotten a bit of a reputation for packages wrapped with fabric ribbons, though. I use a pinking rotary cutter, cut a 2" strip or whatever size, out of Christmas fabrics, tie that puppy up and it's good to go. I never have ribbon when I need it. Fabric I have! Now if I could find a good substitute for Scotch tape which I never seem to have either.

WOW! I woud'nt mind getting a re-gift like that! I don't think I've ever re-gifted (no jugdement here)...unless giving someone something made from fabric they gave you is re-gifting;) I'm with you on the selvege ribbon! I save gift bags and make my own from leftover fabric. I also save little boxes and cover them in fabric scraps (no gift wrap needed!) Here's a new one, I'm going to make little button strings to attach to bows and bags (you can also use yo-yos.) I save and re-use anything I can!

Those petit fours are so pretty! There's no chance I'd regift them. I used to spend a lot of time wrapping each present and making pretty bows and ribbons for each of them. However, my cats wouldn't leave them alone and they never lasted until Christmas. Now I put a gift tag on them and call them done.

I don't regift but I do regift the idea. If someone sends us a fruit basket and I like it, will send one to someone else. Then I know the quality of the gift I am giving. But you can certainly regift those lovely fabrics to me! Could share with my quilting friends. PS. I use my salvages for making pincushions.

Sure, I would love to win. ...but, more than that, I enjoyed reading about your beginning quilting techniques --- cause they are the same as mine. We used to wash our fabric and then pull it on the bias to get it on the straight of grain. Some of my templates were from Cheerios boxes --- but the tops of margarine containers didn't wear down so fast...so, there are more of us "older than dirt".

I think selvedges look fantastic as ribbon and I have used them several times for gifts. I love ribbons and after this year doing a class with Sue Spargo when she came to Australia, I now have to buy a piece of every unusual ribbon I see. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Sue-Anne, Australia.

OK - sometimes I re-gift but I am sure to put a post it note on the item of the name of the person who gave the gift to me so I can get it in a different circle. Christmas morning I am the scavenger - boxes, bags, tissue paper that is in good shape, ribbons and bows all get put into rubbermaid tubs for the next year.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!Thanks for the great giveaway.I save ribbons to reuse. I also save and reuse gift bags and boxes. I have been saving selvages to make into items, but I really like the idea of using them as ribbons.Thanks again. lraetaylor@gmail.com

I have never re-gifted. That's not to say I never will and I really don't see anything wrong with it. If someone else enjoys it more than you, why not? I would love to win your re-gifts! I do recycle though. Gift bags, bows, ect..

In our family we have some very special boxes that get used year after year. An aunt worked at Birks (Canada's answer to Tiffany's???) and would send things in their signature blue boxes. Well those boxes were so special that only a ribbon was required to keep prying eyes out. No wrapping necessary. Tante Alice has been gone for a few years now and retired from Birks many years before that but those boxes keep coming out year after year after year.

I think that's a brilliant way to use selvages. My friend, who taught me to sew and is 80 years old, still tears her fabrics - she taught me to tear - because then you get the actual straight of grain. She says fabric stores used to tear instead of cut. See? You're doing it right!

I would love to have my own ribbons. In my own small way I design and teach here in Australia and would love to have the ribbons on my quilts. I visit the US once a year and will one day hopefully get to visit Houston or somewhere where you are and get to meet both of you.

Well, I have to admit that I just re-gifted gifts in the Christmas bags that my friends have given me the last couple of year and they didn't even recognize that the bags came from them, so I say just wait a couple years or two and you can get away with it without worrying too much. :D

Oh, I love the ribbon idea. Our family has used the same boxes, bags, and fabric bags to wrap gifts in for years. Some of the shirt boxes are mostly tape at this point. We still have one in circulation that is from a department store that had to have gone out of business 20 years or more ago! We still laugh every time we see it, use it, and tape it back together!

My sister arrived yesterday from TX and we were wrapping gifts together today. I had set aside a piece of ribbon I was going to iron and put on a package and before I did, she had it on her package. She proceeded to use her hairdryer on it until all the wrinkles were out.

I line drawers with gift wrap that is either very pretty or from a significant gift or person in my life. My desk drawer is lined with the wrapping paper from my eighteenth birthday gift from my mom who I lost five years later. Even after many years of Maring Corps moves, it's hanging in there. Would love to win the diet friendly Petit Fours.

I don't get gifts to re-gift,my exchanges are too small- I sometimes receive from my kidlets,and sometimes not at all.I love the idea of selvagesbeing used as ribbons to wrap,They're so so cute to look at,and a good way to use scraps.

I save ribbons and gift bags. But I try not to reuse them on a gift to the person who gave them to me originally-unless it's my sister. Then we both laugh.I don't regift, but I do pass things along someone who will love the item.

At Christmas gatherings, my peeps all know by now that any ribbon or bows or gift sacks, or ANY little package decorations that they don't want, they hand it over! I love ribbons of all kinds and do recycle but I must admit I still have some years old beautiful ribbon that was on packages from my Mother. She passed a few years ago, and she loved to "gussy up" a package so when I see those every year it brings back wonderful memories!What a great gift, I hope I win!Jeanne (RED)

I don't regift, but I received several regifted wedding presents. I have no problem with regifting. Just be sure to remove the gift tags from it's first incarnation. My mom was a huge paper recycler. She must not have bought paper in decades. In the 50's and 60's we had this red and gold striped paper that lasted for decades, literally. Happy holidays

I don't re-gift or re-ribbon ---- but I do find ways to re-cycle food. Does this count?My eyes got big as silver dollars when I saw the lovely gift you were offering!!!!L O V E L Y!Merry Christmas Girls,Ter'e

I loved the post today, especially about the TEARING of fabric. I still do that, too, and it makes my sister (also, MY quilting partner) scrunch up her face and watch through one open eye! And, oh yes, would love to have these arrive at my doorstep...WHAT FUN! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I started using the selvages and the 1" trimmings from some beautiful batiks a couple years ago. Last Christmas, my DIL made beautiful "placecards" (a little booklet) with calligraphy & ribbon and the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke for the Christmas dinnertable. I kept them and this year I've tucked them in the garland that decorates the kitchen bar.

Another great thing to do with the selvages!! I am not into string quilts, and am always looking for things to do with them. I, myself, use selvages and other pieces that aren't big enough for me to quilt with...as hair ties. I have longish hair, and strips of cloth are perfect for putting it up in a pony tail with. Thanks for a chance at winning, Merry Christmas!

What a cute story about the baby shower gift. The best I get with reusing is with gift bags, and sometimes bows, but they usually get smashed in storage and have to be pitched anyway.I would love to receive your re-gift. I promise I wouldn't re-gift it, too.

I would love to win those Petit Fours! Wow - what a wonderful prize. I can relate to your ribbon stash but mine are taken from gifts from years past. I now have about 4 boxes (20 ream computer paper boxes!!) of ribbons. Imagine my happiness? when DH brought home 2 bags of premade bows (you know 2 / $1) - what a deal! It's fun to remember who gave me those vintage ribbons as well as the "To From tags". Merry Christmas Laurie and Polly and Thank YOu.

I selvage and use bags and ribbons that have been on my packages. people always give great ribbons wrapped around their gifts. You have 2 historical memories to share the knowing of how their gifts will be wrapped and the one where they even have your name on it...great memories for your familyhappy holidays to you and yours

You crack me up! One year I cut flannel to make quilt binding and used the jillions of yards of leftover bias tape to wrap all the Christmas gifts...even though it was a blue ticking stripe. Everyone joked that they received Hannakah wrapping that year. Merry Christmas, Juliet in SoCal

I must admit that I save every gift bag, piece of ribbon, bow and gift/jewellery box I get (and usually tissue paper, too!) but I've never thought of using selvedges as ribbon - I save them for a friend who turns them into lovely quilt blocks, postcards, etc. but I'll look at them with different eyes now! I've never regifted anything but take anything I know I won't use to a charity shop (one I know the giver has little chance of going to!) so that someone else can benefit. I wouldn't part with the petit fours if I won them, though...they look adorable! Thank you for the giveaway!

Oh Wow! I have to get in on this!! I've never re-gifted a present, but I suspect that I've been the recipient of a few :) I do save ribbons - all kinds!!! My favorite use for the long Moda ribbon(from FQ Bundle) is to cut six inches, or so and attach those little plastic rings to each end. I use them as tie-backs for my curtains! They're all over my house. I also use sheer ribbons when wrapping gifts - it's inexpensive but looks so much prettier than paper ribbon. Hope you have a great holiday!!Pam.p@comcast.net

You're not as old as dirt! I taught myself to quilt about 10 years ago, and the books I had available to me (thank you, library!) all advised me to use templates, hand-sew on the drawn lines, etc. Rotary what? Cutting mat huh?

Ahh, the ribbon issue....I love ribbon and I try to make my packages different every year, well, since my packaging is always so darn cute, I find myself receiving last years packaging model...my family saves my packaging and re-wraps using what I had used the previous year. I guess we are all about re-cycle, huh?? Hugs...Susan

I'm singing from the same song sheet as you but Use my selvedges to tie up stacks of old magazines for recycling. I too piece by hand and tear my striops rather than cutting them. works for me! And - OH OH OH!!!!! I so want to win some moda goodness - please santa I've been good.Seasons Greetings from Coastal Nova Scotia where I'm also hosting a giveaway!

I am one who goes around at Christmas saving bows, ribbon, trim, tissue paper and sometimes paper and definitely bags. Those things are still brand new! I can't stand to just throw them away and will always reuse them again and again. I know for a fact I have bags and bows that have seen many, many Christmases. I also do that year round with other gifts we receive, save all the packaging. My daughter cannot understand it ...

I seldom re-gift, but I have had to stop using fabric, and or selvages for wrapping or bows, cause the family just groans. I certainly won't complain if I receive your "re-gifting" lovely. Merry Christmas.

I like to keep alot of wrapping and tissue paper that I get from gifts of my stitching friends. But now as I get older I know that I need to start getting rid of things. I'm not going to live forever. My fabric closets also need to be gone through also. I do love new fabric though. Would love to win. Thank you for doing this. Deb Austin

Why not tear fabric? It comes out on the straight of grain that way. All I have to do is press it and it's good to go! I have bags and bags of selvages and had no idea what I was going to do with them - now I know! I just wish I could have my name on them like you do but I don't design fabric. Bummer.

I usually don't cut off my selvages. I'm always afraid I'm going to need that last little bit to be folded into a 1/4" seam. BUT I don't have the heart to throw away those moda ribbons that hold together the jelly rolls and layer cakes.

It is all in the packaging!! I spend more time wrapping with unusual items (especially natural ones like shells and pinecone adornments)than I sometimes spend choosing the gift.I have saved every moda ribbon that came around a fat quarter pack. Wishing you a happy holiday season.llo

If all the regifts were as great as yours, then regifting would have a better rep. Now we can benefit from your generosity. Since my immediate family consists of my five sons and husband, I don't bother with ribbon. Sometimes even wrapping seems overdone - but I still have some standards.

Occasionally I regifted (trinkets from seminars for the nieces/nephews when they were children) though not anymore. I do keep ribbons and bags that are in good condition, and use them the next year. My family knows that I do not waste anything that can be reused, and that I do reuse it. Please enter me into the giveaway because even a recycler likes some new fabrics!

Comment number 188, I think. So little chance of winning and yet I can't resist and MUST comment. Those petit fours are just too sweet for words!

I have a ribbon drawer. My children have grown up with this ribbon drawer and have been free to use ribbons from it. I just make sure to replenish it once a year or so. One of my daughters felt her school bag needed some decoration so went to the ribbon drawer. All her friends at school were most impressed with her decorations and asked her where she got the ribbons from. She said, "The ribbon drawer". They had no idea what she was talking about, and she said to me, "Mum, I thought everyone had a ribbon drawer, but they don't! I'm so glad you are a sewing kind of Mum with a ribbon drawer." High praise indeed!

the only recycling I do is use the funnies from the sunday paper as my gift wrap. I use it all year around. I was given a huge skien of red yarn which I use as ribbon. Havent had to buy wrap and ribbon for years! (mauh Liz)

I am thrilled to report that in January I get a new trash handler who will support way more recycling than the old carrier did. Hurray! Now old school papers can finally have a resting place that isn't a landfill. I try to limit re-gifting but I have to admit that we did just send a duplicate kid gift to a birthday party for a kid we don't know very well.

I used to work a Jacobson's, and have saved some of their signature silver boxes and red gross-grain ribbon. It's a little bit of nostalgia with these wrappings. Happy Holidays to all. Hope I'm lucky enough to win.pk...Ann Arbor

We have recycled bows for years...but I've never used fabric strips for bows. I think I should start that as my "signature look."

I'm hosting Christmas here with my family. I'm determined not to stress over it, but to keep the "Reason for the Season" uppermost in my mind.

Also, my birthday is Dec. 21, and I will be spending the day with my daughters and not doing more "busy work" to prepare for company. Since my birthday usually gets lost in the midst of Christmas, I've decided to really enjoy the day this year!

My Gramma always used yarn to tie her presents and I kinda took that over in our family. I stocked up years ago when really thick yarn was practically being given away. I think I have enough to last my life time!!